Microsoft Edge is the “First and Only Browser” to Support Biometric Security

Microsoft has announced a Windows 10 Anniversary Update for this summer. We have already seen various features and enhancements that are going to be part of this update, including a Universal Windows Store for Windows 10 and Xbox One. At today’s event, Microsoft also said that the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update will bring improved Windows Hello support, bringing biometric security to apps and Microsoft’s Edge browser.

Windows Hello to bring biometric security to Edge

Windows 10 Anniversary Update will be packed with features, making the new operating system improved and leading to Microsoft’s goal of having a universal platform for all its devices. With this update, along with several other features and enhancements, Windows 10 will also receive improved support for Windows Hello.

Windows Hello enables you to easily sign into your device with enterprise-grade security. Yet, studies show over 80% of people use the same password across multiple web sites, managing around 20-30 different accounts requiring passwords. So with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update we’ve made it possible for you to use the same easy, yet strong, security of Windows Hello with Windows apps and Microsoft Edge, the first and only browser to natively support biometrics, with supporting sites.

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What does this mean for a user

The ability to log in to an app with the fingerprint scanner has almost become a standard feature that is being offered on mobile devices. While Windows devices let you use fingerprint scanners to securely log in to your machines, you couldn’t use it beyond that first login screen. With the new and improved Windows Hello, Microsoft will bring this functionality to not only the Windows Apps but to its browser as well. Essentially, the new support will allow you to use the Enterprise-level technology that supports fingerprint scanner and facial recognition, to log into other services too.

Until now, Windows Hello was only supported on apps. With Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Microsoft will bring improved Windows Hello support to its Edge browser as well. Microsoft says that the Edge is the first and only browser to natively support biometric security, with supporting sites. Google and Apple don’t let developers integrate Android or iOS fingerprint APIs with their web apps.

Microsoft says that the feature will work with any browser and that “other top browser makers have expressed interest in supporting” this feature, but Microsoft Edge is the first to implement it.